Networking California for Sickle Cell Care Responds to The Budget Act of 2026
- SCDF Staff
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 3, 2026
CONTACT: Naty Alvarez
(916) 826-7855
(Ontario, CA) – Today, Mary Brown, President & CEO, Sickle Cell Disease Foundation, and Diane Nugent, MD, Founder & President, Center for Inherited Blood Disorders, issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom signing the Budget Act of 2026 (AB 109), providing a $6 million appropriation in FY 2026-27 to the California Department of Public Health for Sickle Cell Centers of Excellence, also known as Networking California for Sickle Cell Care (NCSCC). This funding marks the beginning of a landmark five-year, $30 million commitment by the state to increasing access to high-quality, comprehensive care for adult Californians living with sickle cell disease.
“California has shown the rest of the country what’s possible when adults living with sickle cell disease, who have historically faced gaps in care during their transition from pediatric to adult health services, have access to coordinated care,” said Diane Nugent, MD, Founder and President, Center for Inherited Blood Disorders. “I've seen firsthand the difference that access to specialized, comprehensive care makes. It means better pain management, stronger behavioral health support, fewer medical crises, and, most importantly, patients who feel seen, heard, and cared for. This investment allows us to continue building on a model that is already improving lives, helping increase the median life expectancy of adults living with sickle cell disease from 43 to 54 years, preventing crises, and setting the standard for sickle cell care nationwide.”
“We are deeply grateful to Governor Newsom, the California Legislature, and our legislative champions for recognizing the importance of continuing to invest in the sickle cell community,” said Mary Brown, President and CEO, Sickle Cell Disease Foundation. “Networking California for Sickle Cell Care was created by the sickle cell community, for the sickle cell community, and today serves more than 1,000 patients across California. Every step of its growth has been guided by the voices and lived experiences of the people it serves, a culturally responsive model that prioritizes the whole person, not just the disease. This investment recognizes what we've known all along, that lasting progress comes from supporting trusted partnerships, local expertise, and community leadership that has built this model from the ground up,” concluded Brown.
About Networking California for Sickle Cell Care
Networking California for Sickle Cell Care (NCSCC) was developed through advocacy and stakeholder engagement supported by data. Learn more by visiting http://www.sicklecellcare-ca.com/
About the Center for Inherited Blood Disorders
The Center for Inherited Blood Disorders (CIBD) has cared for hundreds of children and adults in Southern California, offering a safety net clinic that provides health care services specifically to patients with inherited blood disorders. CIBD has been able to increase access to care for those who are economically challenged by providing medical care regardless of ability to pay. CIBD is also a national leader in directing federal initiatives to promote regional blood disorder networks that provide team-based clinical care and uniformly track health outcomes. Learn more by visiting www.cibd-ca.org.
About the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation
The Sickle Cell Disease Foundation (SCDF) was incorporated in 1957 and is the first and oldest sickle cell disease community-based organization of its kind in the nation. As the only organization in California approved to provide hemoglobin-trait
counseling services and direct the Sickle Cell Educator/Counselor Training Course. SCDF provides life-enhancing, services, and programs for individuals living with sickle cell disease. SCDF broadens public awareness, delivers effective advocacy initiatives, and promotes innovative therapies to ultimately find a cure. Learn more by visiting www.scdfc.org.
